The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? – Jeremiah 17:9
God has given us a wonderful message about the heart. The heart can be deceiving and full of emotions – “who can understand it.” God’s word is so good! It’s better than any psychology book. Through it, we can learn so much about ourselves and our behaviors. Here is a recap of the four (4) enemies of the heart: Guilt, Anger, Greed, and Jealousy.
- Guilt: “I owe you”
Guilt is the result of having done something we perceived as wrong. So, the message from a heart laden with guilt is, “I owe!” How many couples have we seen that have pursued their careers for financial gain and created an “I owe you” situation at home? In these cases, permissiveness and materialism become the currency of debt payment. We need to confess and receive forgiveness for our guilt and move on.
- Anger: “You Owe Me”
We get angry when we don’t get what we want. Show me an angry person and I’ll show you a hurt person. I guarantee you that person is hurt because something has been taken. Somebody owes them something (If nothing else, an apology). The root of anger is the perception that something has been taken from you and that something is owed to you. A debt-to-debtor relationship has been established. You ask “What did I do to deserve that?” The answer is you didn’t let them have their way and that’s all it takes. Don’t allow the people who have hurt you the most to influence your current and future relationships. How long will you allow the people who have hurt you to control your life? While it’s true that you can’t undo what’s been done, it’s equally true that you don’t have to let the past control your future. We need to forgive the debt and move on (let go of the anger).
- Greed: “I Owe Me”
Greed isn’t a financial issue; it’s a heart issue. To the greedy, possessions are their life. Their stuff is an extension of who they are. They place greater value on a possession than on a person. That’s the nature of greed. Fear is the driving force behind greed. Greedy people shoulder the burden of acquiring and maintaining everything they need to provide the sense of security they desire.
“Generous giving will break the grip of greed on your life. So, when you have extra, give and give generously. You’ve got to give to the point that it forces you to adjust your lifestyle. If you’re not willing to give to the point that it impacts your lifestyle, then according to Jesus you’re greedy.”
- Jealousy: “God Owes Me”
When you’re jealous, your problem isn’t with the person who has what you don’t; it’s with your Creator. You think He owes you. It takes a habit to break a habit. We like to laugh off our bad habits as “personality traits,” but that doesn’t change the truth. They’re habits—destructive habits that need to be broken. We often pray for change while we make excuses for the very things that need to change. We need to learn to celebrate those who have want we want.
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MONDAY
Personal
Using the four enemies as a gauge, pray for God to search your heart. God can defeat these enemies in your heart if you allow Him to.
TUESDAY
Finances
Today, we pray and make the decision to be givers. There are things God wants us to give from our time, money, etc.… Let’s pray to become known as givers.
WEDNESDAY
Family
Let’s pray for our families today, asking God to help them defeat the four enemies in their lives.
THURSDAY
Church
We continue to pray for the Church, especially through this series on the heart. Ask God to use it to help us battle these four enemies of the heart.
FRIDAY
Leaders
Continue to pray for our Church leaders so that they may be strengthened as they fight the four enemies within themselves and help others to do the same.
SATURDAY
Co-workers/Classmates
Pray that you may be a light in the lives of your coworkers and/or classmates, so that they would be saved from the four enemies of their hearts.
SUNDAY
Lost Souls
Keep praying for the salvation of the lost souls in your life and those in the lives of the congregation.
